Summary: describes the disciple’s discipline of prayer.

At the end of Matthew chapter 28, one of the last things Jesus told His disciples before going to be with His Father, was to go and make disciples. That is one of the primary responsibilities Jesus has given us. We are to be disciple makers. Now, before we can make disciples of Jesus, we must first be disciples ourselves.

If you remember, we have seen that there are several attitudes, several marks that show a disciple. A disciple, we have seen, is a person who;

1. Has a changed life

2. Loves Jesus more than anyone else in the world

3. Loves Jesus more than anything else in the world

4. Loves Jesus more than comfort and security

5. Continues in His walk

6. Loves God’s people.

We are to be disciples, being transformed into Jesus’ image, more and more each day. But, discipleship, growing as disciples, requires discipline. In order for a boxer to be strong and expect to win in his fights, he must train. He runs. He exercises. He works on the bag. To be a successful fighter requires discipline.

A young lady, wanting to be a model, must discipline herself. She controls what she eats. She exercises. She gets the right amount of sleep. To be a successful model requires discipline.

What is true of boxers and models is also true of disciples. There are disciplines which can help us grow as disciples. This morning I would like us to look at the discipline of prayer.

Evidently prayer is important. Think about it. Jesus’ followers saw Him multiply loaves and fish to feed 5000, and yet they never asked Him to teach them to do that. They watched Him raise the dead, and didn’t ask Him how to do that. They saw Him heal the sick, and didn’t ask Him to teach them to heal. No, what the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray.

> Luke 11:1 He was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

After that request, Jesus taught them what we often call the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll see it there in your outline. Let’s say that together.

You don’t “win” or “earn” God answering your prayers with the quantity of your prayers. Saying the same thing over and over again does not wear Him down. *Parents being worn down by their children’s constant requests.